Who We Are
Our North Star
We envision the communities we serve as places where all people join together to build on community assets for current and future generations, and where all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Our North Star
We envision the communities we serve as places where all people join together to build on community assets for current and future generations, and where all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Our Tenets
Our investments are designed to benefit the community’s future.
All of our efforts are in cooperation with others.
Our small investments are designed to motivate people to believe in and create positive change.
Our large investments focus on initiating long-term, significant change.
Our Tenets
Our investments are designed to benefit the community’s future.
All of our efforts are in cooperation with others.
Our small investments are designed to motivate people to believe in and create positive change.
Our large investments focus on initiating long–term, significant change.
Your local health legacy foundation,
in Lancaster since 1995.
Your local health legacy foundation, in Lancaster since 1995.
Staff
Susan DeVenny
Susan leads the Foundation together with trustees, community advisors, and staff, bringing over 30 years of experience in public, private, and non-profit sectors to the organization’s community development efforts. Prior to joining the Foundation, Susan served SC children and families as Charter Trustee and State Director at SC First Steps to School Readiness, the state’s early childhood agency.
Susan currently serves on the Graduate School Advisory Board at Winthrop University, the Advisory Board of SC Educational Television, and is a member of the SC Grantmakers’ Network Steering Committee. She is a Senior Fellow with the American Leadership Forum Charlotte Region and a Fellow with the Diversity Leadership Initiative of The Riley Institute at Furman University. Nationally, she has served on the NAEYC early childhood governing board, and currently serves as Public Policy Chair for Philanthropy Southeast (formerly the Southeastern Council on Foundations).
Originally from Newtown, Connecticut, Susan holds degrees from Furman University and the University of Georgia. Susan and her husband, Mayor Alston DeVenny, have lived in Lancaster, SC since 1988, serving the community together with their four children: Miller, Sarah Katherine, Emma, and Mary. When not working on Foundation initiatives, Susan is usually walking on the Greenway or in her neighborhood.
Katie Ayers
As Senior Research Fellow, Katie supports many projects and initiatives, and explores topics and ideas that build a healthy community. Katie enjoys learning more about the Foundation service area – Fort Lawn, Great Falls, and Lancaster County – and is proud to give back to the community that raised her.
Katie is a native of Lancaster County and a 2021 honors graduate of USCL’s Palmetto College, with a BA in liberal studies (history, Native American studies, philosophy focus areas). Before joining as Research Fellow, Katie was a part of the Foundation’s first class of virtual interns (Class of 2020) and worked as a Research Intern.
When not focused on Foundation priorities, Katie enjoys hiking and camping, visiting museums, and reading just about anything she can get her hands on.
Brian Canty
As Facilities & Operations Manager, Brian builds and manages facility, operations, IT, security, and guest strategies and protocols at the Foundation. He serves as IT concierge and consultant to all Arras staff, elevating philanthropy goals by optimizing portals and other online efforts. Before joining the Foundation, Brian served as a systems engineer with FCX Performance in Charlotte, NC where he designed, integrated, and maintained control systems in industrial environments across the Southeast.
Brian is a native and resident of Lancaster, where he and his family are active in the community. He holds a BA in Computer Science from Benedict College. Brian has a passion for giving back to the community and is dedicated to helping others.
You can find Brian on the basketball court or volunteering with middle school students in his spare time.
Savannah Crosby
As Community Project Assistant, Savannah works closely with many Foundation initiatives including Horizon Education Grants, the Internship Program, and Give Local Lancaster. She is a member of the Foundation communications and grants teams, where she collaborates to manage strategic digital communications, analyze data, and explore best practices for the Foundation. Her position allows Savannah to further explore the passion for philanthropy that was ignited during her time as a Foundation intern (Class of 2019).
Savannah returned to the Foundation as a full-time staff member following her 2019 graduation from Winthrop University, where she graduated summa cum laude with a BA in psychology and social welfare.
Savannah is a member of the Lancaster Eat Smart Move More/HEAL committee, Lancaster Area Coalition for the Homeless (LACH), and the Coalition for Healthy Youth. Savannah is a member of the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Lancaster program (Class of 2021-2022).
When not focused on the Foundation’s community initiatives, Savannah can be found incessantly taking photos of her dog, Scout, getting lost in a sappy novel, or listening to the Rolling Stones at max volume.
Cynthia Curtis
As Community Investment Officer, Cynthia works with nonprofit organizations, community partners, and local governments to enhance the health of communities in Lancaster County, Fort Lawn, and Great Falls. In addition to exploring grant and beyond grantmaking opportunities with these partners, Cynthia also works with communities interested in resident-informed planning and visioning in her role as a certified Community Heart & Soul Coach for the region.
Prior to joining the Foundation, Cynthia lived in El Salvador for over 20 years, working in international cooperation for development in the Central America region. Her work included program and partnership development, intercultural cooperation, education, grant making, fundraising, advocacy, and capacity building. In 2013 Cynthia relocated to the U.S., settling with family in Chester, SC where she served as Grants and Community Development Coordinator for the City of Chester.
Cynthia speaks fluent Spanish, holds a degree in Education, and certificates in Non-Profit Management and TEFL. She currently resides in Lancaster with her family. When not engaged in Foundation work, Cynthia enjoys classes at USCL, volunteering at the Native American Studies Center Archaeology Lab, and participating in archaeological digs.
Harris Darver
Harris Darver, the founder and owner of Strix Solutions, brings a wealth of experience and a heart as big as Texas to the Foundation as contracted Chief Financial Officer. Originally from Dallas, Harris now calls the Upstate of South Carolina home, where he dedicates his expertise to helping non-profits, school districts, and independent clients thrive.
Harris founded Strix Solutions to provide more than just accounting services. His approach prioritizes making employees’ lives easier and freeing up time for what truly matters: sustaining or growing the organization. Harris and his team have been working with nonprofit organizations in South Carolina for over 15 years. His experience in the field originally began as an external auditor of these entities, but for the last 10 years, he has been an Accountant and Contracted Financial Officer. Through extensive experience, Harris has gained skills in building efficient processes and developing relationships that benefit his clients. He is well versed in the nonprofit industry, including restrictive grant programs, as well as matters affecting these entities including but not limited to, cost allocations, grant record keeping, financial reporting and board reporting in this capacity.
Harris holds degrees in Accounting and Finance and has over a decade of experience in building strong, efficient processes. He currently serves on the Board of the SC Association of CPAs and is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Governing Council. When not working, Harris and his wife enjoy spending time outdoors with their two young children, Addie and Caleb and dog Sadie.
Emma DeVenny
As Communications Director, Emma oversees all Foundation communications and collateral. Before joining the staff full-time, she worked as a contract employee for various Foundation initiatives over the years, including Give Local, Catawba Connect: COVID-19 Relief Fund, and was heavily involved in the Foundation’s 2020 rebranding. Before joining the Foundation, she served with AmeriCorps as a college adviser and taught English to elementary school students in the southwest of France.
Emma is a native of Lancaster and a 2014 graduate of Lancaster High School. She went on to continue her studies at Furman University (Political Science) and received her Master of Science in Journalism from Columbia University in the City of New York.
Emma enjoys hiking, writing, and traveling whenever she can.
Robert Folks
Robert Folks has practiced law in Lancaster since 1973 and is a partner in the firm of Folks & DeVenny, LLC. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, he holds a law degree from the USC School of Law. Mr. Folks has held trusteeships and chair positions with Lancaster County School Board, the Lancaster County Community Foundation, and Thornwell Home for Children. He served as trustee of Presbyterian College. His civic involvement in Lancaster also includes being a member and past president of the Lancaster Breakfast Rotary Club and trustee of the Lancaster County Society for Historical Preservation. Mr. Folks served as the Foundations attorney from 1995 until he became a trustee of the Foundation in 2006 and currently serves as Trustee Emeritus.
Elizabeth Howe
Elizabeth Howe joined the Foundation as a member of the inaugural class of college interns in 2016. After graduation, Elizabeth served as a part-time Communications Fellow for the Foundation, while also working part-time as a marketing specialist for the a grant-funded project with the City of Chester.
As Youth Development Coordinator, Elizabeth oversees the Foundation Summer Internship Experience and coordinates the Horizon Education Grant Program. She also represents the Foundation in youth-focused conversations and community initiatives.
Active in the community, Elizabeth serves on the Lancaster County Good Samaritan Foundation Scholarship Board of Directors, and is a graduate of Leadership Lancaster.
Elizabeth graduated from Columbia College in 2016 with a major in communications studies and a minor in public relations. She currently resides in Great Falls, her hometown. When not engaging with youth for the Foundation, Elizabeth enjoys thrifting, crafting, spending time outside, and being a stereotypical cat mom (but a cool one, obviously).
Samantha Rinard
As Foundation Coordinator, Samantha conducts administrative business for the Foundation, including grantmaking processes and optimizing organizational and operational systems. Before joining our team, Samantha served as an Operations Manager with The Eye and Laser Center in Lancaster, where she planned, coordinated, and directed the administrative functions of an organization.
Samantha is a native and resident of Lancaster and is proud to give back to the community that raised her. She holds a BA in Informatics with a minor in Business Administration from The University of South Carolina Upstate and an MBA from Anderson University.
Hannah Saeger Karnei
Hannah Saeger Karnei serves as the first Strategic Initiatives Coordinator for the Arras Foundation. Her work is focused on weaving together community assets to create a stronger, healthier, and more vibrant community for today and future generations.
Prior to joining the Arras Foundation team, Hannah was Inaugural Fellow at The Patterson Foundation in Sarasota, FL where she helped shape a new philanthropic leadership program and managed a wide array of initiatives.
Hannah received her MA in Philanthropic Studies from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Prior to pursuing her passion in philanthropy, Hannah worked in digital marketing for DC-based tech companies. Hannah and her husband Kyle are natives of northern Virginia and reside in Lancaster County with their daughter, Quinn.
You can connect with Hannah on Twitter anytime @therealhsk1. When not weaving Foundation projects and programs, Hannah enjoys exploring with Kyle and Quinn, reading, and traveling to be with family and friends.
Pam Temple
Pam Temple provides leadership in grantmaking and program areas. With over 25 years in the health field, she brings expertise and a systems perspective to the Foundation’s broader community work.
A native and current resident of Great Falls, South Carolina, she graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BS in Nursing. Employed with Springs Memorial Hospital for 19 years, she worked in various positions, including Director of Home Care and Hospice, and Director of Quality and Risk Management. Recently, she has worked on the administrative team at XL Mediaworks, Inc.
Pam served on the Lancaster County Health and Wellness Commission from 1993-2001 and Catawba Area Council on Aging’s Advisory Council from 1998-2001. She has actively volunteered for the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Chester County School District, and Team 4:12 Youth Group at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Pam served as a trustee of the Foundation from 2005-2016.
When not engaged in Foundation initiatives, Pam enjoys boating and laughing with friends and family.
Consultants
Scarlett Bouder
As president of Advocacy & Communication Solutions, LLC (ACS), Scarlett directs strategic communication planning, government relations and advocacy efforts, and policy analysis and strategy development for ACS clients.
Scarlett has more than 20 years of experience in government relations and communication. After launching ACS in 2004, she joined the administration of Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland in 2007 to serve as Director of Communication & Marketing and later Chief of Staff at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, an agency with an $18-billion budget. Scarlett rejoined ACS in 2009.
Previously, Scarlett held government relations and communication positions for The Cleveland Metropolitan School District, The Greater Cleveland Film Commission, Ohio Alzheimer Council, and the Ohio Democratic House caucus races, where she led strategic communication efforts for more than 20 local and statewide candidate and issue campaigns. She led communication and marketing strategy for two cabinet-level Ohio agencies that were responsible for Medicaid, workforce and child welfare programs.
In addition to her professional commitments, Scarlett previously served on the boards of:
- Dress for Success Columbus (Vice President)
- Greater Cleveland Gay & Lesbian Center
- Environment Ohio
- Ohio Healthcare Workforce Advisory Council
- Cuyahoga County Health & Human Services Levy Steering Committee
Scarlett earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from The College of Wooster. Scarlett, her husband, and two sons live in Columbus, Ohio.
ACS is one of the only female- and minority-owned consulting firms in Ohio. The women-led, women-driven firm has a national reputation for its communication and strategy development expertise and deep understanding of policy and advocacy, especially for organizations in the early childhood and K-12 education sectors. Collectively, the firm has more than 75 years of experience developing and implementing strategies that help clients achieve measurable results.
Larry Coats
Larry has over 30 years of investment and consulting industry experience and is President & CEO of ClearView Fiduciary Alliance. After working as a Senior Consultant with Andersen Consulting (predecessor to Accenture), Larry entered the investment industry where he was an Institutional Representative and investment consultant until he joined Oak Value Capital Management, Inc. in 1994. During his 17 year tenure at Oak Value, he rose to the position of Chief Executive and Portfolio Manager. He and his partners sold Oak Value to RS Investments LLC of San Francisco in 2010 and remained with that successor firm until the end of 2012. Larry earned a BS in Business Administration from Coastal Carolina University in 1981 and an MBA from the University of South Carolina in 1983. In addition to having served on the Boards of several non-profits including the Coastal Educational Foundation and the United Methodist Foundation, he co-managed investment portfolios for more than three dozen foundations, endowments and not-for profit organizations over the last 20 years.
Fred Delk
Fred Delk’s successful 35+year career highlights his love of community, historic preservation, and downtown development. Recently retired after 25 years as Executive Director of Columbia Development Corporation (CDC) in Columbia SC, where he worked with dozens of public-private partnerships and direct economic development projects. These ventures include the 40 million dollar revitalization of the 100 year old Palmetto Compress, the historic Vista Publix grocery store, affordable housing, and Stormwater Studios artist community. In 2012 Delk was honored as the National Brownfields Person of the Year for work with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Columbia Brownfields Program, Fred Delk serves as a board member of Preservation SC, a statewide organization whose mission is to preserve historic sites. Fred also frequently helps South Carolina’s small towns and communities plan and guide downtown revitalization and economic development initiatives.
Lori McClung
As chief executive officer of Advocacy & Communication Solutions, LLC (ACS), Lori directs strategic communication planning, government relations and advocacy efforts, policy analysis and strategy development for ACS clients.
Lori has nearly 25 years of experience in media, public policy, and advocacy. She has successfully advocated on various education, health and human services, and economic issues at the federal, state, and local levels. Before starting ACS in 2004, Lori held leadership positions with the Federation for Community Planning, Public/Private Ventures, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and the Center for Community Solutions. Lori was the campaign director for an Ohio statewide early care and education campaign groundWork™. During the campaign, several thousand Ohioans were recruited to raise awareness among elected officials and the media about the importance of providing high quality education and care for all children birth through age six. That successful advocacy effort raised a combined $500 million in the Ohio state budget for fiscal years 2006-2007 and 2008-2009.
She was selected to be a national training fellow for the Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest (CLPI). Lori began her career as a newspaper reporter for several daily newspapers. She also served as a press secretary for Congressman David Mann in Cincinnati.
In addition to her professional commitments, Lori currently serves on the board of The St. Luke’s Foundation, the National Board of Parents As Teachers, and Parents for Public Schools, a national organization. She previously served on the boards of:
- The Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest, a national organization
- Education Voters of Ohio
- The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
- The Cleveland Public Library
- The Greater Cleveland Media Development Corporation
- Parents for Public Schools, a national organization
- National Board of Parents As Teachers
Lori earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication and a Certificate in Journalism from the University of Cincinnati. Lori received a “Friend of Public Education” award from the Ohio Federation of Teachers in 2005, and in 2002, she received an award from the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center for her outstanding volunteer work. Lori and her husband live in Cleveland, Ohio.
ACS is one of the only female- and minority-owned consulting firms in Ohio. The women-led, women-driven firm has a national reputation for its communication and strategy development expertise and deep understanding of policy and advocacy, especially for organizations in the early childhood and K-12 education sectors. Collectively, the firm has more than 75 years of experience developing and implementing strategies that help clients achieve measurable results.
Heather Mitchell
As President of BOUDREAUX, Heather thrives when meeting new people, discovering client needs, and collaborating to arrive at creative solutions. Her love of architecture is rooted in fond memories of creating Barbie houses out of the wooden blocks handcrafted by her father. She earned degrees in Architecture from the University of Virginia and Syracuse University and has worked at BOUDREAUX for more than two decades. A mother of two children, an avid runner, and a budding triathlete, Heather loves to travel and share her passion for community, arts, and culture. Balancing firm and project leadership, she is looking out for your project’s design character, budget, schedule, and team.
Irene Tyson
Grounded in small town design values nurtured through a Mississippi State University architecture education, Irene thrives when creating communities that are vibrant, authentic, and livable. As Director of Planning at BOUDREAUX, her solutions blend architectural insight, planning expertise, and an eye for the future. Her stakeholder facilitation skills and contagious enthusiasm rally diverse voices toward strategic visions for their communities. Many professional and cultural organizations, as well as her church, find themselves the proud beneficiaries of her leadership and personal artistic and musical talents. Irene is ready to create with you a vision and an achievable roadmap for your community or campus.
Board of Trustees
Lisa Bridges
A resident of Heath Springs, Mrs. Bridges is a proud mother and grandmother, and an active member of Salem United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Bridges became a trustee of the Foundation in 2017. She currently serves as Chair.
Bridget Francis
In addition to working in the classroom, she has served as a master teacher for the Olde English Consortium and has written curriculum for Catholic Relief Services and a local summer camp. She volunteers in a variety of roles at St. Matthew Catholic Church.
Ms. Francis joined the Foundation as a Community Advisor in 2019 and became a trustee of the Foundation in 2023.
Michael Clancy
Michael Clancy is a 1977 graduate of the University of South Carolina – Columbia. He joined the Air Force in 1979 as a flying Officer. He separated from the service as a Captain after 10 years as a Navigator/Bombardier on B-52s. Mr. Clancy and his wife and two sons moved to Lancaster to take over operation of their family business distributing Amoco and Texaco products in the tri-county area. While in Lancaster, he has served on the board of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Red Cross, Lancaster Breakfast Rotary Club, and the Community Playhouse of Lancaster County. Mr. Clancy also served for 11 years on the South Carolina Petroleum Marketers board in Columbia during his career in the petroleum business. He is currently serving on the board of HOPE of Lancaster.
Mr. Clancy became a trustee of the Foundation in 2017.
Ashley Shannon
Ms. Shannon is a native of Lancaster, SC, and has been active in community efforts since her youth. She is a graduate of Winthrop University with a degree in Communications. Past community involvement includes serving on the Board of Directors of The United Way of Lancaster County, HOPE in Lancaster, and the Lancaster County Council of the Arts. She has also played an active role in the School Improvement Councils of Discovery Elementary and Lancaster High School, and she enjoys working with the students of Lancaster High School’s LearnTV for various segments. Ms. Shannon also serves on the Leadership Lancaster planning committee and is currently a board member of the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce.
Ms. Shannon is an active member at Mount Nebo Missionary Baptist Church in Lancaster and is the mother of Ryleigh Waiters, Class of 2020 University of South Carolina graduate.
Ms. Shannon joined the Foundation as a Community Advisor in 2017 and became a trustee of the Foundation in 2019.
Richard Band
Richard Band is a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Furman University and a Master of Library Science from the University of South Carolina. Retired Director of the Lancaster County Library, Mr. Band now dedicates his time as a volunteer for United Way of Lancaster County and HOPE in Lancaster. Previously, he served as Chairman of the Board of HOPE in Lancaster, as a board member on the Lancaster Community Foundation, and as President of the Lancaster Rotary Club. He is past President of the Association of Public Library Administrators of South Carolina and previously served on the Board of Lancaster County First Steps, the Chamber of Commerce, and as Chairman of the Lancaster Literacy Council.
Mr. Band became a trustee of the Foundation in June of 2017.
Terrance Barr
Mr. Barr retired from the United States Army as a Chemical Officer. He earned a Master’s degree in Environmental Management from Webster University. He had the opportunity to serve as Treasurer for the Fort Leonard Wood ROCKS, an organization designed to mentor young officers.
Mr. Barr is married to the former Keisa McIlwain and three sons, Brandon (deceased), Matthew and JB. Terrance is an active member of Steele AME Zion Church, Lincoln Lodge #162 and a Board member of the Lancaster County Community Center. He was nominated as North Elementary 2019 Parent of the Year, served 4 years as A.R. Rucker’s PTO President and current a member of Lancaster High School School Improvement Committee.
Mr. Barr became a trustee of the Foundation in 2024.
Cody Bowers
Cody Bowers is a financial consultant with Founders Wealth Management in Lancaster, SC. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Financial Management with a concentration in financial planning and minor in accounting from Clemson University in 2017. After graduation, he was employed by Founders Federal Credit Union and completed his Series 7, Series 66, Life, Accident and Health Insurance licenses. His daily responsibilities involve personalized financial planning and investment management.
Mr. Bowers is a member of the Lancaster Breakfast Rotary Club, an Ambassador for the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce, and a current board member for the Lancaster County Society for Historical Preservation. He resides in Lancaster, SC with his wife, Lyndsey.
Mr. Bowers joined the Foundation as a Community Advisor in 2023 and became a trustee of the Foundation in 2025.
Wesley Brunson
Ernest Jenkins
Dr. Ernest Jenkins is a graduate of Furman University with a B.A. in History, and the University of Kansas with an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Medieval History. Since 2011, Dr. Jenkins has served as an Assistant Professor of History at the University of South Carolina where he teaches courses in European civilization, Islamic civilization, the craft of historical research, Roman history, Medieval history, the Crusades, the Renaissance, and the Reformation.
Growing up in Lancaster, and raised by educators, he was taught the importance of education, perseverance, and service. He is a board member for the Lancaster County Society for Historical Preservation and the Lancaster County Council of the Arts.
Dr. Jenkins became a trustee of the Foundation in 2023.
Roy Still
Past community involvement for Dr. Still includes serving on the Board of Directors for The Listening Center, Family Promise, and CareNet. Dr. Still also previously served as a Lancaster Rotary Club member. He is an active member at First Baptist Church of Lancaster where he is a member of the Music Ministry and has participated in local and international missions. Dr. Still enjoys gardening, traveling, reading, and spending time with family (particularly with his grandchildren).
Dr. Still became a trustee of the Foundation in 2020.
Sharon Teague
Ms. Teague currently is a member of the Lancaster Rotary Club. She also serves on the board of directors for Children’s Trust of South Carolina and serves on the board of directors for the Foundation for Professional Development, which sponsors the STAR and LIFT teacher programs.
Outside of work and community involvement, Sharon loves spending time with family, watching the Gamecocks and the Braves, reading, and traveling. Ms. Teague became a trustee of the Foundation in 2024.
Community Advisors
Stephanie Barber
Community Advisor, Grants
Stephanie Barber
Stephanie Barber is the Assistant Principal at Lewisville Middle School in Chester County School District. In this role, she seeks to touch many students’ lives with her unique ability to build lasting relationships. She is no stranger to hard work and dedication when it comes to educating students, having spent nearly 30 years as an educator in the Chester County School District.
She has previously served as a kindergarten, K-1 Transition, 1st and 2nd grade teacher as well as a Reading Coach. She has coordinated after-school tutoring programs and reading buddy mentoring programs as well as served on community boards such as Chester County First Steps and GRASP.
Her extracurricular activities include attending sporting events, completing word search puzzles, spending time with family (mom, 2 brothers, niece and God-daughter), driving field trips and in the past coaching cheerleading (middle & high) for over a decade. She is active at her church (New Independent Methodist) where she serves as a Sunday School teacher, sings on the gospel choir and is the Christian Education Director.
Her educational accomplishments include B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Winthrop University in 1993, Masters in Early Childhood Education from USC in 1995, Masters in Educational Leadership from Winthrop University in 2012 and Educational Specialist Degree from Winthrop in 2021.
She is passionate about what she does and is consistently seeking ways to serve her students and community!
Marsha Patterson
Community Advisor, Grants
Marsha Patterson
Marsha Patterson has worked for State Farm Insurance Company since 1985. While she has held several different positions during her tenure, Marsha considers her years in Lancaster as a local agent to be the most enjoyable and rewarding. As a local agent, Marsha knows the challenges of being a small business owner and values the strength of this community.
Since relocating to Lancaster in 2005, Marsha has served on the board of directors for the Lancaster County Community Foundation and the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and as Secretary of the Lancaster Breakfast Rotary Club. She also serves on several scholarship committees and volunteers for the United Way Community Investment Panel. Marsha serves on the University of South Carolina Lancaster Foundation Board and as chair of the Endowment Committee at her local church. She holds degrees from the University of Alabama and Purdue University.
Jason Truesdale
Community Advisor, Grants
Jason Truesdale
Jason possesses a love for both the public and private sector, along with Management and Finance. Whether it’s leading initiatives that empower all voices or leveraging his business acumen to drive economic development, he is an advocate for growth. Prior to returning to South Carolina, Jason was active in Corporate Finance working on acquisition projects in Winter Park, FL.
Jason has participated in the South Carolina Local Government Leadership Institute and served on various boards including Lancaster County Economic Development, United Way, Keep Lancaster Beautiful, and he is pleased to serve as a Community Advisor with the Arras Foundation. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and a Master’s degree in Business from Full Sail University.
James Hawthorne
Community Advisor, Investments
James Hawthorne
James Hawthorne is the Development Engineer with Lancaster County Water & Sewer District (LCWSD) where he oversees water and sewer projects for all new residential, commercial, and industrial construction developments. James has worked with LCWSD since 2006, beginning his career as a Staff Engineer. A native of Greenville, SC, James received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Technology from South Carolina State University in 2004 and an MBA (Finance) from Winthrop University in 2012.
James has served on several community boards in the Lancaster area since 2010, including the United Way of Lancaster County, Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, HOPE of Lancaster, and currently serving as chair of the City of Lancaster’s Red Rose Development Corporation. He resides in Rock Hill, SC with his wife and two sons.
Jana Morrison
Community Advisor, Investments
Jana Morrison
Jana is a Certified Financial Planner TM with Burkett Financial Services in Rock Hill, SC. A native of Great Falls, SC, she received a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in Accounting, Magna Cum Laude from The University of South Carolina in 1992.
After graduation, she was employed by The Springs Company, a high-net-worth family office, for twenty-one years. While there, she held the position of Assistant Vice President and Senior Tax Manager. She became licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in 1994 and a Certified Financial Planner TM in 2009. In 2013, Jana left The Springs Company to work with Founders Federal Credit Union as a Financial Advisor. During this employment, she passed the Series 7, Series 63 and SC Life and Health Insurance Exams.
Jana is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants. She is an active member of Crestview Baptist Church in Lancaster, SC, where she currently leads the choir, teaches Sunday School, and serves on the Finance Committee. She is currently a member of the Rock Hill Rotary Club.
Jana is married to Danny Morrison and they live at Lake Wateree in South Carolina. They have two children, Abigayle and Carrie.
Richard Simpson
Community Advisor, Investments
Richard Simpson
Richard W. Simpson serves as a senior advisor for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. He spent his first ten years with Springs Industries in various management roles before shifting to what became a 33 year banking career. He spent 25 years as a technology executive helping grow Bank of America. His last eight years were spent with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and BB&T Bank focusing on technology risk management. His professional certifications (retired status) include Information Systems Auditor, Information Systems Control and IT Governance. Richard also has a B.S. in Business Management and an MBA from the University of South Carolina (Phi Beta Kappa, Honors graduate).
Richard and his wife Sara are life-long residents of Lancaster. They have three grown children and two young grandchildren. Richard served on the Educational Foundation of USC Lancaster Board from 2010 through 2017. In 2015 -16 he was board president. He is currently president of the USC Lancaster Board of Visitors. Mr. Simpson joined the Foundation as a Community Advisor in 2018.
Community Advisors
Don Gardner
Don Gardner retired from First Citizens Bank as Senior Vice President and Business Relationship Manager after 32 years with the bank and 38 years in banking. Mr. Gardner is the former Development Director for the Gregory Family YMCA. A US Air Force veteran, he holds a degree in Marketing from the University of South Carolina and graduated from the South Carolina Bankers School. Mr. Gardner currently serves as a board member and Treasurer for the Lancaster Children’s Home, and is a current member and past President of the Lancaster Rotary Club. Other previous roles for Mr. Gardner include chairman of the Lancaster County Partners for Youth board and of the board of the Lancaster Housing Authority, and as president of the Kershaw Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Mr. Gardner is a former director of the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Lancaster Community Foundation. Mr. Gardner is also a past board member of Catawba Regional Development Corporation. Mr. Gardner became a trustee of the Foundation in 2016.
Key Moments in Our First 25 Years
Foundation Values
Wellness
We value and prioritize a vibrant community so that all people have an opportunity to thrive and prosper in all dimensions of community health: physical, mental, and social.
Catalyst
We strive to propel partnerships, elevate conversation, spur innovation, and create lasting value with the goal of building a healthy community.
Connection
We aim to harness the collective strength, wisdom, and guidance of everyone in our community; we value the natural connections between people and the environment.
Voice
We place people and their voices at the center of everything we do; resident voices guide and shape our work.
Discovery
We weave information, knowledge, and resources to make data-driven and community-informed decisions that consider the past, respect the present, and see the possible.
